The US imposed additional security measures on vessels arriving from Iraq as of October 26.
Namely, the US Coast Guard imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in the country after visiting certain ports in Iraq as one of their last five ports of call.
Only three Iraqi port facilities are currently maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures, the Al-Basrah Oil Terminal, the Khor Al Amaya Oil Terminal and Al Maqal Terminal 14, the US authorities determined.
The conditions of entry were therefore imposed on vessels that have visited any other Iraqi port as one of their last five ports of call.
Under the conditions of entry, affected vessels must implement measures in accordance with the vessel’s security plan equivalent to Security Level 2 while in a port in Iraq, ensure that each access point to the vessel is guarded and that the guards have total visibility of the exterior of the vessel while the vessel is in ports in Iraq, as well as attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in a port in Iraq.
Furthermore, the vessels are to log all security actions in the security records; and report actions taken to the relevant Coast Guard captain of the port (COTP) prior to arrival into US waters.
In addition, based on the findings of the Coast Guard boarding or examination, vessels may be required to ensure that each access point to the vessel is guarded by armed, private security guards while in US ports.